Baby bath cradle



June 3, 1958 (:ARLSQN I 2,836,833

BABY BATH CRADLE Filed April 24, 1957 INVENTOR. E LNH H. CFlRLso/v F/TTORNEY United States Patent @fifice 2,836,833 Patented June 3, 1958 BABY BATH CRADLE Elna A. Carlson, East Haven, Conn.

Application April 24, 1957, Serial No. 654,800

1 Claim. (Cl. 4-185) My invention relates to bathing aids for babies, and is directed particularly to a baby bath cradle.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a supporting device for babies that can be used either in a tub or a sink, and which will hold a small baby in an inclined position above the Water level while being bathed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bath cradle of the above nature which comprises a tubular support frame and a hammock-like fabric member removably suspended within the support frame which conveniently allows an older baby to sit while being bathed.

Another object is to provide a bath cradle of the character described wherein the cradle frame comprises tubular side members which a sitting baby can grasp for additional support while being bathed.

Another object is to provide a bath cradle of the above nature wherein the hammock support member is fitted with snap tabs which may be removably connected about the ends and sides of the frame member to permit removal for Washing or replacement.

Still another object is to provide a bath cradle of the above nature, wherein the frame member is of unitary construction and without sharp corners or bends that could cause injury.

Another object is to provide a bath cradle of the character described, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and keep clean, and efiicient and durable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the improved bath cradle embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the bath cradle shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows, illustrating details of one of the snap-on tabs forming part of the fabric support member.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral indicates generally my improved bath cradle, the same being comprised of a framework 11, preferably of aluminum tubing, and a hammock-like support member 12, preferably of terry cloth or toweling fabric.

The framework comprises two quadrangular side members, each formed of bent tubing and comprising a bottom section 13, an upright rear end 14, an upright front end 15 of lesser height, and a downwardly-inclined top section 16 interconnecting the upper portions of the hunt and rear ends 14 and 15. The top sections 13 and 16 are welded to horizontal tubular spacer members 17, 18, and 19. The spacer member 17 is curved and interconnects the rear ends 14 of the quadrangular side members near the lower ends thereof; the spacer member 18 is also curved and interconnects the tops of the top side sections 16 near the rear ends thereof; and the spacer member 19 interconnects said top side sections 16 near the front ends thereof.

The fabric support member 12 is of quadrangular shape to fit in spaced relation within the space defined by the top side sections 16 and the top rear and front interconnecting spacer members 18 and 19. Each edge of the fabric support member 12 is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending tabs 20 having a snap fastener 21, enabling the tabs to be folded around the adjacent tubular members of the framework 11, and detachably snapped into place, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Strips of plastic, rubber, or neoprene tubing 22 are preferably fitted about each end of each of the bottom sides 13 of the quadrangular side members to prevent marring or scratching the sink or tub in which the bath cradle is used.

One advantage of my improved bath cradle is that it is light and strong, and provides smooth side support rails which may be readily grasped by the babys hands.

Another advantage is that the fabric support member can readily be removed for washing or replacement simply by unsnapping the fasteners 21.

While I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that various changes and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent is:

In a bath cradle for babies, a unitary substantially rectangular support frame having a pair of forwardly converging spaced longitudinal side bars and a pair of cross end spacer bars welded to the ends of said side bars, a flexible hammock secured in horizontal position to said side and end spacer bars, each side bar being welded at its ends to a downwardly extending open rectangular side frame member, a rear bottom spacer bar being welded at its ends to the rear bottom ends of said side frame members, said rear spacer bars being concave, and the upper rear spacer bar having a smaller radius of curvature than the lower rear spacer bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,191,360 Westenbarger Feb. 20, 1940 2,222,070 Graves Nov. 19, 1940 2,495,482 Rogatz Ian. 24, 1950 2,507,848 Bashaw May 16, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 139,019 Australia Oct. 13, 1950 

